Study Abroad Financial Aid
Can I use my financial aid package for study abroad?
For semester-long study abroad trips, Ohio Dominican University students are usually eligible to apply most of their financial aid to an approved study abroad program. All federal and state aid apply – Federal Pell Grant, Ohio Choice Grant, Ohio Instructional Grant, Federal SEOG, Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford and Parent Loans. Accepted study abroad students may also use up to $2,000 per semester of their Ohio Dominican scholarship award or grant money (ODU Scholarship/Award, ODU Grants, ODU endowed scholarships) as funding for their study abroad experience. All financial aid arrangements must be made prior to leaving for the semester abroad.
For short-term trips (such as summer programs or faculty-led trips), you should consult with the Financial Aid Office to research your options before the trip. It may be possible to borrow federal loan programs if you are earning 6 or more credits for the short-term trip.
What requirements must be met for me to use my financial aid for the study abroad semester?
- You must apply and be accepted by the International Office at ODU into an approved study abroad program.
- You must meet with the Financial Aid Office prior to leaving for your study abroad program to arrange your financial package. In an ODU approved study abroad program, ODU tuition will be charged to the student. ODU then pays the program fee (tuition) directly to the study abroad agency. Housing is handled separately.
- You must maintain the equivalency of 12 US credit hours (minimum) while overseas to maintain your full-time student status and financial aid eligibility.
- Students are responsible for all other program fees, deposits, insurance, airfare, and overseas excursions. It is the student’s responsibility to make financial arrangements regarding these fees with the study abroad agency prior to departure.
- If you leave the ODU campus before financial aid is disbursed for the term you are studying abroad, you must make arrangements with your financial representative to handle your financial aid and/or scholarship checks coming through the ODU Business Office.
Do the same financial aid guidelines apply for the ODU Roma Program?
No. Because the ODU Roma Program is a university-sponsored program, each ODU student participant is treated as if they were here on ODU’s home campus. All financial aid applies (federal and university sponsored), including any aid that is used towards housing/ resident accommodations. However, please note that all financial aid arrangements must be made prior to leaving for the semester abroad.
Upon accepting a place in the program, you commit yourself to a payment schedule. If you do not officially withdraw by the payment deadline date, you are responsible for that payment. In addition, you will be responsible for any funds committed in your name by the date of withdrawal (example – housing deposits).
Official withdrawal from your program means we have received a written notification (an e-mail, signed letter or fax) of withdrawal from you at any point after you have signed the acceptance form and paid the initial deposit. The withdrawal becomes effective on the date the withdrawal notice is received.
FinAid: The SmartStudent Guide www.finaid.org/otheraid/exchange.phtml
StudyAbroad.com www.studyabroad.com/forum/financial_aid
International Education Financial Aid www.iefa.org/
Council on International Educational Exchange www.ciee.org/scholarships.cfm
IIE Passport Study Abroad Funding www.studyabroadfunding.org/
Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship Program www.rotary.org
Institute of International Education www.iee.org
National Security Education Program www.iee.org/nsep
The Freeman- ASIA Award Program www.iie.org/pgms/freeman-asia
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship www.iie.org/gilman
IIE Midwest Educational Associates Scholarship www.iie.org/midwest/grant
Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad grants www.phikappaphi.org/abroad
International Education Finance Corp. www.iefc.com
College Board www.collegeboard.com
FastWeb scholarship search www.fastweb.com
Currency Converter www.oanda.com/convert/classic
International Student Travel Confederation www.istc.org
Council Travel www.statravel.com
Financial Resources for International Study: A Guide for Us Students and Professionals (Financial Resources for International Study) by Marie O'Sullivan (Editor), Sara J. Steen (Editor)
Free Money for Foreign Study: A Guide to More Than 1,000 Grants and Scholarships for Study Abroad (Paperback)
by Laurie Blum (Author)
Fulbright U.S. Student Program www.cies.org
Marshall Scholarships (UK) www.marshallscholarship.org
George Mitchell Scholarships (Ireland) www.us-irelandalliance.org/
Rhodes Scholars (University of Oxford, England) www.rhodesscholar.org/
Laura Meek
Associate Director, Financial Aid Office
Erskine Hall 147
Ohio Dominican University
1216 Sunbury RD
Columbus OH 43219
(614) 251-4641
meekl@ohiodominican.edu
